HKU University of the Arts Utrecht

Shirley Niemans leads the HKU Biolab workspace and conducts sustainable materials research within the HKU workshops. She holds a BA in Interactive Art and Music, an MA in New Media and Digital Culture, and is a graduate of the BioHack Academy at Waag Amsterdam. Her work focuses on biomaterial development, regenerative making practices, and re-imagining biotechnological tools for artistic contexts. Over the past five years, she has served as coordinator of the Biodesign Challenge program at HKU.

Kas Houthuijs has a background in neurobiology and biomedical sciences, but his real interest is in the interdisciplinary field of art and ecology. Real innovation happens where the visions of different fields can question and enhance each other. At HKU he teaches BioLab for Designers as a course and at the Waag Future Lab in Amsterdam he teaches the BioHack Academy. Kas believes that artists and designers have great responsibility in the sustainability transition, and he tries to aid this goal through education.

Than van Nispen As a master in both Music and Biology Than van Nispen lectures on both the domains of composition in context, like film and game music, as well as biological and ecological approaches to art, music and sound. Than is a lecturer and researcher at HKU School of Music and Technology where he lectures mostly on Sonic Interaction Design, (interactive) composition in contexts and art & ecology. He is also a music composer for (interactive) live concerts, (art)games and interactive installations.